You need a TV Licence if …
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You watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV - online, on a TV, or on any device (even a laptop)
This is the case whatever device you use – whether a laptop, PC, mobile phone, games console, digital box, VHS/DVD recorder or anything else. It also includes programmes you watch online at the same time as they’re being shown on TV, for example live sport. (However, if your mobile device isn’t plugged in, you’ll still be covered by your parents’ licence.)
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And you live in halls of residence
Your hall probably has a licence covering communal areas but you’ll also need to be covered for your room.
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Or you live in a shared house
If there’s a joint tenancy agreement for the whole house, you may only need one licence. However, you may need your own licence if your accommodation is self-contained – i.e. you have exclusive access to washing facilities or you have your own entrance to the property.
If you have a separate tenancy agreement for your room, you’ll need to be covered by a separate licence.
You don’t need a TV Licence if …
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You don’t watch or record television programmes as they’re being shown on TV – on any device.
If you don’t watch or record television programmes, or you only stream TV programmes online after they’ve been broadcast – through on-demand services like YouTube, BBC iPlayer and 4oD – you don’t need to be covered by a T Licence.
- Or all of these are true
- Your out-of-term address is covered by a TV Licence
- AND you only use TV receiving equipment that is powered solely by its own internal batteries
- AND you have not connected it to an aerial or plugged it into the mains.
Your parents' TV Licence will not cover you while you are away at university unless you only use a device that's powered solely by its own internal batteries. You must not plug it into the mains when using it to receive TV.
You can get a refund if …
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You don’t need a licence during the summer holidays
If you move out of your term-time address for the summer months, you can ask for a refund of the licence for that time (as long as your licence is still valid for at least three full calendar months and you don’t need it again before it expires.)
Find out more at www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/for-your-home/students-aud1/